Pop-up tasting boxes · The Balvenie When ritual becomes event
To mark the launch of three whiskies in the ‘Cask Finishes’ collection in April 2022, Scottish distillery The Balvenie called on the creativity of Here Design and our expertise in printing, prototyping and packaging development to revisit the ritual of tasting miniatures with a special edition of two exclusive influence gift sets.
Thanks to this synergy of expertise, The Balvenie is showcasing its double maturation process. A pioneer in this technique, the distillery offers it in a wide range of flavours. Years of ageing in American oak casks, which give their whiskies their honey and vanilla notes, are combined with various refinements in ex-Pineau des Charentes, Madeira and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.
The first pop-up box, in oceanic colours, is designed to introduce the 16-year-old whisky refined in ex-Pineau des Charentes casks, nestled in a built-in drawer. The removable top covering the drawer lifts up to reveal a paper animation composed of abundant patterns. Grapefruit segments, geranium flowers, candied fruit and slices of ginger represent the aromas of the spirit in sophisticated combinations –superimposed and registered– of laser- and die-cut shapes, litho printing in solid colours, debossing, multi-level embossing and foiling. A honeycomb pattern structures the entire scene, evoking the characteristic honey notes of The Balvenie whiskies.
The second box, with its fiery colours, contains two whiskies with Iberian accents: one matured in Madeira casks and the other in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The former offers additional aromas of fresh peach, orange zest and hazelnut, while the latter offers notes of lavender, citrus and fig. These motifs are poetically arranged within the dedicated pop-up, just like those in the first box.
To perfect the subtle three-dimensional effect of these two wonderful decorative sets, each piece has been cut, assembled and fixed by hand in our finishing workshop. At the other end of the chain, unboxing also takes place in several stages: sliding off the sleeve-ring, lifting the lid and pulling out the drawer. Each of these actions is accompanied by a visual and tactile surprise that feeds the ‘tasting journey’ to which the brand invites us in golden letters.
This sense of detail and artisanal approach, shared by The Balvenie, Here Design and Imprimerie du Marais, elevates this ritual of discovery and tasting to a truly private event, allowing for an intimate, unique and lasting connection with the exceptional product.
Behind the scene
The Workshops
"This sense of detail and artisanal approach [...] elevates this ritual of discovery and tasting to a truly private event, allowing for an intimate, unique and lasting connection with the exceptional product."
